UPDATE: Children among six killed in N1 Limpopo crash

The N1 highway at Planknek, about 50km south of Polokwane, has been closed following a serious two-vehicle collision involving a truck and a bakkie. 

According to Arrive Alive, preliminary reports indicate six people died at the scene, while two sustained serious injuries. 

The crash took place between the Nyl Plaza and Polokwane outside Mokopane.

According to the latest update, four children were among the six people declared dead at the scene. 

When ER24 arrived around midday on Friday, provincial EMS was already in attendance. 

A bakkie was found in one lane, and the truck with a trailer attacked was found on its roof on the other side of the highway. 

Both vehicles reportedly sustained significant damage in the crash. 

The children and two adults were travelling in the bakkie. Two other men were found trapped inside the truck. 

The province’s transport and community safety media liaison Mike Maringa told Polokwane Review the truck involved in the accident overturned, which is why the highway has been blocked and traffic diverted.

“Motorists travelling northwards will be diverted to the R101 at Nyl Plaza, while those travelling south must use R101 from Polokwane and join the N1 at Nyl Plaza,” Maringa said. 

This is a developing story. Updates to follow as more information is made available. 

Another deadly accident

Meanwhile, in Heidelberg, four people were killed and two critically injured after the vehicle they were travelling in rolled on the N3 in Heidelberg, Gauteng.

Early on Friday morning, ER24 and EMS staff arrived at the scene to find the vehicle on the side of the road, with six adults lying inside. 

Two men and two women were pronounced dead, while another man and woman were found with several injuries. They are in critical condition, and were transported to nearby hospitals for urgent care. 

Local authorities were at the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. 

Compiled by Nica Richards

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